KATE MACKENZIE
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Rise and Rise of Wahini #2

12/2/2021

 
https://www.facebook.com/100005450085620/videos/1630745420450445/
click above link to view video of this piece

cable tie on mesh $6,500
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World Of Wearable Art Up Close Exhibition - TePapa Museum Q & A discussion with designers on Sunday 17th January 2021 1:30pm till 3pm

13/1/2021

 
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I am excited to be part of the designer panel at Te Papa this Sunday for an informal Q & A discussion about our experiences as artists/designers for the  World Of Wearable Art. The WOW Up Close exhibition is also on, so if you are in Wellington it is a must see! Go to this link for more details 
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https://www.facebook.com/WorldofWearableArt/photos/a.373431053122/10157893904583123/

MAYDAY FOR CICADAS 4th - 31st October 2020 Muse Art Gallery, 5 Havelock Rd, Havelock North

18/9/2020

 
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​MAYDAY FOR CICADAS : An exhibition by Kate MacKenzie

Is it a hopeful mating call? Or a cry for help?
That’s the question artist Kate MacKenzie poses through her upcoming exhibition at Muse
Gallery in Havelock North. Mayday For Cicadas is a new body of work inspired by childhood
– a time when life was simpler, slower, and the only buzzing, burring and ringing came from
nature rather than the pervasive technology of modern life.
Surrealist painter and two time finalist in the Adam Portrait Awards, MacKenzie says,
“Mayday For Cicadas reorders the world from an imagination that is solution-based.” It draws
on the New Zealand of our recent past, when the summer soundtrack of the cicada was
“something we could take for granted. Now, I wonder, do we hear a mayday, or is it that we
have stopped listening?”
MacKenzie’s body of work, showing at Muse in October also reflects the way a worldwide
pandemic has impacted our lives. “We have either struggled or thrived during many weeks of
lockdown. The need to immerse ourselves in our beautiful beaches and forests during this
time became deeply felt.”
Each piece connects us to this shift in our collective consciousness. “New Beginnings” is
about re-entering the world with new perspectives. “The Graduate” is inspired by the many
young men and women who encourage us to find hope amid confusion. Other works
demonstrate how a warming planet and pandemic bring challenges, with no guarantee of
survival. Yet hope springs eternal for MacKenzie; her central muse sees with large eyes,
implacable calm, arresting beauty.
Multiculturalism is also a recurring motif – there is an integration of Maori and Pakeha
symbols enmeshed in her work, representing MacKenzie’s own values of equality, respect
and tolerance.
Her portraits and landscapes have elements of a montage, too, bringing together emblems
of her concerns for the world. “I like to use a collection of subconscious images that aren’t
usually seen together and then add conscious thought to establish a meaning or message.”

LOCK-DOWN IN PARADISE: 2020

8/4/2020

 

Thankyou for Helping to  deliver this to Jacinda by sharing and supporting  the "I Am Hope NZ fund" on Gumboot day.
This fund raiser has now closed and thanks to your support I was able to make a sizeable donation to this very important charity. 


Kate MacKenzie LIMITED EDITION PRINTS are still available to purchase on the Prints page.

Kate MacKenzie is a NZ Adam Portraiture finalist and Supreme WOW winner.
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“I finished this painting the first day of Lock-down. I started it 14 months ago and it sat in my studio unfinished and unresolved…but I now realize why.  As a NZ artist it is a privilege to be able to document important people and moments in time that become part of our history. “

On the first morning of Lock-down I went for a walk and oddly the peace and quiet made me feel calm. It occurred to me that I am so grateful to be living in a country so beautiful and to have a leader that knows how to react in a crisis. Her communication and timing in my opinion was perfect. If she had enforced a lock-down too early, she would not have had the support of all her people and it would have created more panic.  By waiting until now, the majority of New Zealanders were  ready to go with her.

This piece is full of symbolism's and references to Jacinda and this important time in history. My hope as an artist is that this painting inspires us to be strong and that we can look at this in many years time and be grateful that we have survived and learned from the experience.

“Jacinda you are an inspiration to people world-wide”. 
Kia Kaha 
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NZ Adam Portraiture Award Entries: 2020

10/1/2020

 
Dame Suzie Moncrieff.

Founder and CEO for The World Of Wearable Art had vision and tenacity to swim against the current, which sparked a series of conscious and subconscious thoughts to create a piece that reflects her humble authenticity, despite her success.

Symbolism's and dark and light are used to express her journey, which has forged a permanent pathway into the NZ landscape.


The Graduate was inspired by many young men and woman in this country that are leaders and visionaries.

They are wise beyond their years and have the ability to encourage unity diversity and mixed culture. The subject is not based on a particular person, but from my imagination.
He has both Maori and European lineage and he is guided by his ancestors through the Tui, acting as his moral and spiritual compass. His relationship with the environment is strong and he sees himself as its guardian.  
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WORLD OF WEARABLE ARTS: 2018

21/11/2018

 
I am excited to show you Axminstress. She was awarded 2nd place in Avant Garde, plus runner up in sustainability award 2018 World Of Wearable Arts.

From the hallways of our past, to carpet runway ready, this revolutionized antique- chic twinset reflects how far women have come, to be confident, independent and successful.

Inspired by Frida Kahlo - artist and fashion icon to boot. She learns to use her physical and emotional pain as fertiliser for her strength and creativity and the flowers begin to grow and blossom.  She’s done with being walked all over.   She discovers her inner Axminster, then rips the rug out from all expectation and flies off in a lace bra.

There are a few symbolism's with the garment itself…the tear drop hat represents past emotions, the Spanish inspired skirt resembles that of a painters palette, covered in vibrant swirls of paint. The back resembles a butterfly, ready to take flight now that she has discovered her strength and versatility. I have over stitched many of the flowers to appear like they are emerging out from the carpet at different stages of growth.

I am super proud to have B Akerlund model my WOW garment "Axminstress .  She is a famous Fashion Activist and stylist for Lady Gaga, Madonna and Beyonce.  This photo shoot was taken by Bs Photographer Ekaterina Belinskaya in conjunction with The World of Wearable Art
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PARADIGM ROAD

4/9/2018

 
I am excited about my up-coming solo exhibition in Sydney from 17th October...see details below.

I also have two garments selected for this years World of Wearable Art in Wellington. I cant tell you any details of the garments but can tell you one is in the Open Section and one is in Avant Garde.
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​We are left to question our priorities in the face of climate change and poverty.

Remnants of the 2nd industrial revolution arrogantly forge on as the 4th begins.

The future is uncertain, but through the smog comes a new world order – strong, inclusive, hopeful and ready to guide humanity to the next paradigm.

NZ ADAM ART PORTRAITURE AWARDS: 2018

24/1/2018

 
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I had some wonderful news last month that my portrait of Finn has been selected as a finalist in this years Adam Art Portraiture Awards. Opening night is 28th Feb in Wellington.

Entitled "The Dreamer" .  This painting has since been selected for the NZ tour. Check the Adam Portraiture website to see if its coming to your town

World of Wearable Art: 2017

18/9/2017

 
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​I have finally finished this years World Of Wearable Art entry for 2017 and its arrived in Nelson for Judging.

I Find out mid July whether I am in the show again for this year.

Fingers crossed!




HEART OF ARTISTA
Artista wears her art on her sleeve. 

An exhibition of people and the deep connection they have with their land.

Her garment breaks all the rules with the juxtaposition of  Rococo, art deco, and modernism, connected by a richly decorated cuckoo clock which symbolises the evolution of art movements throughout time.

Artista is inspired by surrealists Salvador Dali and Frida Kahlo.  Their paintings remain true to themselves as they paint completely uninhibited,  and free from constraint.

Artista escapes the tendrils of commercialism and her heart opens fully for the first time. ...Artista takes flight
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January 03rd, 2017

3/1/2017

 
I've had the most incredible response to my first solo exhibition "SUCCUMB-FERENCE".

So far, 13 originals have been sold.

Thank you for everyone's support. Sorry to those that missed out. Limited edition prints are available from my online store. Check it out here.

Keep an eye on my website and I will update with new work when completed.

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Hastings Pak n Save Edible Fashion Awards: 2016

1/10/2016

 
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Hastings Pak'n'Save Edible Fashion Awards

18/8/2016

 
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Looking forward to returning to the judging panel for Hastings Pak n Save Edible Fashion Awards 2016

11th Nov 2014: WOW Supreme Award Winner

18/8/2016

 
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One of my proudest moments winning the Supreme Award for the World Of Wearable Arts in 2014. The whole design is made from suitcases.
Stuff News Link: 
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/fashion/10551130/World-of-WearableArts-supreme-winner

World Of Wearable Art 2015

1/7/2016

 
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So pleased I have finished creating this years WOW garment and it is off to Nelson for Judging.

World of Wearable Art 2016

9/2/2016

 
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"TukiTuki"

The Maori Cloak is a river nourishing all living things. Tangata Whenua ensure the waters remain pure.

Maori have a spiritual and cultural connection to the land. There is an obligation of guardianship to protect the spiritual wellbeing of the land and waterways to ensure a sustainable ecosystem for future use.

Tuki Tuki illustrates how land and river rely on each other to remain healthy. As populations rise, so does the need to boost our food sources through increased sustainable farming.

The Tuki Tuki River is currently under the spotlight as a decision to build a dam is pending. Transparency in our processes, and careful research must prevail as vital decisions are made about its future. 
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World of Wearable Art entry 2015

4/2/2015

 
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Humannitor
(Category: Revoluntionise the uniform)

“Humannitor” half man half robot Red Cross hero, caped in Roofing iron, food cans, medical scissors, taps spoons and blankets. 

He wears the face of  Dugald MacKenzie a soldier saved  by Red Cross in Crete. His chest bares photos of those he saved, and those he could not.  Lest his memory-stick fail him.  In his pocket is a locket carrying the photo of a beautiful woman, waiting back home for her loved one to return. As programmed Humannitor will carry this safely to her and pass on a message of love.

​Do we really want technology to replace human instinct and compassion?

World of Wearable Art 2013

11/9/2013

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Hay Daysie
(3rd in open section)


​The days of sitting on the couch watching TV as a family are gone, as we enter a new computer age, questions are asked about communication, acceptance and belonging.
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Previous works:

1/1/2013

 
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.